Robredo is Thankful for Du30’s Otso Diretso Attention for the 2019 Election

By: Elena Grace Flores
It is a known fact in the Philippines that President Rodrigo Roa Du30 is not appreciative of the sitting VP. However, it is still a surprise that the questionable second leader thanks Du30 for his negative remarks on her party’s 2019 election senatorial bets, Otso Diretso (straight 8). At least, they got his attention, she admits. Robredo said that she is thankful for the President’s acknowledgement regardless of his “straight to hell” comment. The tough-talking leader spares only one of the 8 since she is from Mindanao. The mainstream media is currently feasting on this issue among others.
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Straight to Hell for the 2019 Election

The senatorial candidates of the opposition Otso Diretso (Straight Eight) are going straight to hell, according to President Du30. The opposition coalition’s candidates have not done anything for the country but criticize. He made a comment about each one of them who are candidates as Senators for the 2019 election.

Roxas, the Boastful One

Those people do nothing but criticize, Du30 said. He questions their competence and accomplishments for the first time in a campaign sortie. He calls former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II “hambugero” or arrogant. Roxas retaliates at once boasting his alleged call center achievement that the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo initiated. The former Senator is known for his incompetence in handling the Yolanda typhoon disaster as witnessed by many foreign journalists.

Old Wounds

To vote for Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano is a “mistake,” the President said as he belittles the former soldier’s involvement in uprisings against Arroyo. “Look at the Magdalo. They launched a revolt in Makati… When the police came, they surrendered,” Du30 said. He also attacks Sen. Bam Aquino being just a lookalike of his uncle, the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. The late Aquino was the rival of the late President Ferdinand Marcos who resorted to unbelievable strategies to topple Marcos.

Negative Attention for a Laugh

“Tañada is a leftist. Do you know who gives us headaches? They do not admit they are NPA members but they support the group by acting as their lawyers,” Du30 said. He insinuates that election lawyer Romulo Macalintal only serves clients for money. Chel Diokno’s manner of talking is no match to his father former senator Jose Diokno, he added. The Filipino leader also criticizes Former solicitor-general Florin Hilbay and calls him a “turtle.”

Vengeance for Imee Marcos?

Robredo defends the opposition senatorial candidates. They were chosen because of their good track record, she said. The other Otso Diretso candidates hit back at Du30. They accuse him of using his position to campaign for his bets at the expense of the opposition. The temporary VP said that the fact that the President mentions each opposition bet shows that they are getting the attention of the people. On the other hand, Du30’s bet, Imee Marcos was the target of criticisms by the Otso Diretso team earlier.